This course will support teachers implementing Aboriginal Education within the new syllabuses and will build knowledge of policy frameworks and inform the building of relationships.
This course will begin with an exploration of key policies guiding Aboriginal Education, including the Department’s Aboriginal Education policy and key documents, and the NSW Teachers Federation’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education policy and their implications for practice. This course will be conducted by Aboriginal teachers who are highly experienced in their fields.
In primary and secondary workshops, NESA officers will provide an analysis of Aboriginal Education content within the syllabuses, ensuring a clear understanding of curriculum expectations. Presenters, holding varying leadership roles within the Department of Education, will share practical strategies for establishing and maintaining culturally inclusive, safe, and responsive learning environments.
Keynote adress from Associate Professor Christine Evans, Pro Vice-Chancellor University of NSW:
Embedding Indigenous knowledges in curriculum: continua of learning from preschool to higher education
The representation of Aboriginal histories and cultures in NSW syllabuses has improved with the increased involvement of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander teachers particularly since 2016. Higher education has also been experiencing curriculum renewal through national strategic initiatives requiring the embedding of Indigenous knowledges in university curriculum. How do the Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property rights of knowledge holders feature in the process and what professional learning might be required for educators to ensure that academic and cultural considerations are addressed?
Wednesday 5 August 2026 at NSW Teachers Federation, 23-33 Mary Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010
All CPL courses run from 9am to 3pm.
$220
Please note, payment for courses is taken after the course takes place.
Teachers K-12 and leaders in schools implementing Aboriginal Education.
RUSSELL HONNERY
Aboriginal Education Officer, NSW Teachers Federation
Russell is a proud Wearie Gomeroi Man.
Russell’s current role as role is the NSW Teachers Federation Aboriginal Education Officer allowed him the opportunity to be the AEU Yes for Voice Campaign Lead Officer in 2023. Before holding this current role, he was a Professional Support Officer (2019-2021). Prior to holding these elected positions, Russell worked for the NSW Teachers Federation on a Relief basis in many roles. From Project Officer in 2010 and relieving in positions from 2011 to 2017: as Aboriginal Education Officer, Research Industrial Officer, Professional Support Officer and both Country and City Organiser positions. He was also the Aboriginal Executive Member for council 2017-2019 and Aboriginal Members Councilor from 2008 to 2019.
His teaching career has been in rural/northern NSW, which has given him a variety of experiences from classroom teacher, teaching Reading Recovery, Relieving Assistant Principal, team teaching with beginning teachers, mentoring staff and being part of the Department as Indigenous Teacher leadership program 2014/2015. He was also the Aboriginal Education and Engagement Officer SEO1 for the Tamworth Operational Directorate 2017-2019.
Russell’s experiences within the NSW Teachers Federation have given him the opportunity to represent and present at local, state, national and international events on behalf of Aboriginal members.
JENNI WENZEL
Chief Education Officer, Aboriginal Education, NSW Education Standards Authority
Jenni is a proud Bundjalung, Gumbayngirr, Ngoorabul, Walbunja Yuin woman with kinship connections to the North and South Coasts of NSW. Primarily working in Aboriginal Education at local, regional, and state levels, she has worked tirelessly to ensure Aboriginal students, parents and communities are represented at all levels.
Her teaching expertise ranges across Aboriginal Studies, Aboriginal Languages and HSIE subjects, with lecturing across several universities in Aboriginal Education.
Jenni is the Chief Education Officer, Aboriginal Education at NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).
DIMITI TRUDGETT
Coordinator Schooling and Transition 7-12 PEO, Aboriginal Education & Communities Directorate
Dimiti Trudgett is a proud Wayilwan woman who is the Coordinator Schooling and Transition in the Aboriginal Education and Communities directorate. She works in the Schools and Transitions unit where she leads various programs and initiatives across NSW in improving the educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Prior to her position, Dimiti was a Deputy Principal in a Central School. She is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative for the AEU NSW Teachers Federation Executive and one of the elected Councillors from the Aboriginal Members roll. Dimiti is a passionate advocate for Aboriginal education as well as educating all students and educators about Aboriginal histories and cultures
ANTHONY GALLUZZO
NSW Department of Education